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You Come from Greatness

A Celebration of Black History: A Picture Book

Author Sara Chinakwe
Illustrated by Ken Daley
$8.99 US
Christian/Forum | WaterBrook
On sale Jan 17, 2023 | 9780593578292
Age 3-7 years
Sales rights: World
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A young boy learns that he is walking in the footsteps of greatness through a vibrant, lyrical retelling of Black history—both a love letter to Black children and an anthem empowering them to know their God-given worth.

“A reminder to Black children that they are capable of greatness.”—Kirkus Reviews

You came bustling into the world,
a mighty bundle of energy, ready to do great things.
And no wonder.
You stand on the shoulders of those who came before,
and you, too, were born to shine.

Starting with his birth, the boy’s father lays out the history of his son’s ancestry: from the love and warmth of a big family, to the change makers and status shakers, the inventors and engineers, the astronomers, philosophers, and storytellers, the leaders and the doctors. The father details the legacy and impact of Black ancestors whose determination, strength, dedication, creativity, and leadership contributed to making the world better.

Throughout the story, the boy discovers the rich heritage of those that have gone before him and learns how he embodies that same greatness. He, too, has the power to change the world by embracing exactly who God made him to be.

You Come from Greatness includes illustrations of Black historical figures such as Wangari Muta Maathai, Ellie Mannette, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, and more, with twenty short biographies at the end of the book.
You came bustling into the world,
a mighty bundle of energy, ready to do great things.

And no wonder—you stand on the shoulders
of those who came before, and you, too, were BORN TO SHINE.

You come from laughter and love.
From a big family—by way of the bayou—who ate
crawdads at the crab boil after Sunday service.

From a mother who’s as warm as a brassy African sunset
and a father whose emboldened strength lies
just beneath his tender heart.
And you?

You embody a spirit that soars with delight over
new possibilities. You can go anywhere.

YOU CAN BE ANYTHING.
Copyright © 2023 by Sara Chinakwe; Illustrated by Ken Daley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
“A young Black child is affirmed as they learn about the achievements of Black figures through history . . . [Sara Chinakwe] admirably describes the work of world leaders, scientists, mathematicians, and many more figures across the diaspora as well as how their accomplishments might apply to the child’s future. Bright, vibrant colors bring the active illustrations to life as they honor ancestors who have made significant contributions to the world. Bold phrases appear throughout, encouraging young readers to ‘WALK TALL’ or ‘SPEAK PEACE AND SEEK JUSTICE.’”—Kirkus Reviews
 
“In You Come from Greatness, Sara Chinakwe’s poetic prose and Ken Daley’s vibrant illustrations celebrate some of the great Black men and women who made a difference in Black history . . . American history . . . or more accurately, world history. Though written first as an affirming love letter to empower Black readers, young and old, You Come from Greatness can encourage all readers to honor past and current Black leaders, while embracing their own power and purpose as God’s intentionally designed and diverse image bearers. You Come from Greatness is a much-needed resource that can embolden world changers, with their identity secured in Christ, for generations to come.”—Xochitl Dixon, writer for Our Daily Bread and author of Waiting for God and the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist Different Like Me

About

A young boy learns that he is walking in the footsteps of greatness through a vibrant, lyrical retelling of Black history—both a love letter to Black children and an anthem empowering them to know their God-given worth.

“A reminder to Black children that they are capable of greatness.”—Kirkus Reviews

You came bustling into the world,
a mighty bundle of energy, ready to do great things.
And no wonder.
You stand on the shoulders of those who came before,
and you, too, were born to shine.

Starting with his birth, the boy’s father lays out the history of his son’s ancestry: from the love and warmth of a big family, to the change makers and status shakers, the inventors and engineers, the astronomers, philosophers, and storytellers, the leaders and the doctors. The father details the legacy and impact of Black ancestors whose determination, strength, dedication, creativity, and leadership contributed to making the world better.

Throughout the story, the boy discovers the rich heritage of those that have gone before him and learns how he embodies that same greatness. He, too, has the power to change the world by embracing exactly who God made him to be.

You Come from Greatness includes illustrations of Black historical figures such as Wangari Muta Maathai, Ellie Mannette, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, and more, with twenty short biographies at the end of the book.

Excerpt

You came bustling into the world,
a mighty bundle of energy, ready to do great things.

And no wonder—you stand on the shoulders
of those who came before, and you, too, were BORN TO SHINE.

You come from laughter and love.
From a big family—by way of the bayou—who ate
crawdads at the crab boil after Sunday service.

From a mother who’s as warm as a brassy African sunset
and a father whose emboldened strength lies
just beneath his tender heart.
And you?

You embody a spirit that soars with delight over
new possibilities. You can go anywhere.

YOU CAN BE ANYTHING.
Copyright © 2023 by Sara Chinakwe; Illustrated by Ken Daley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Praise

“A young Black child is affirmed as they learn about the achievements of Black figures through history . . . [Sara Chinakwe] admirably describes the work of world leaders, scientists, mathematicians, and many more figures across the diaspora as well as how their accomplishments might apply to the child’s future. Bright, vibrant colors bring the active illustrations to life as they honor ancestors who have made significant contributions to the world. Bold phrases appear throughout, encouraging young readers to ‘WALK TALL’ or ‘SPEAK PEACE AND SEEK JUSTICE.’”—Kirkus Reviews
 
“In You Come from Greatness, Sara Chinakwe’s poetic prose and Ken Daley’s vibrant illustrations celebrate some of the great Black men and women who made a difference in Black history . . . American history . . . or more accurately, world history. Though written first as an affirming love letter to empower Black readers, young and old, You Come from Greatness can encourage all readers to honor past and current Black leaders, while embracing their own power and purpose as God’s intentionally designed and diverse image bearers. You Come from Greatness is a much-needed resource that can embolden world changers, with their identity secured in Christ, for generations to come.”—Xochitl Dixon, writer for Our Daily Bread and author of Waiting for God and the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award finalist Different Like Me

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